Goliath Frog | San Diego Zoo Animals & Plants San Diego Zoo Animals & Plants SPECIES: goliath ABOUT Goliath means REALLY BIG! We're not kidding—the goliath frog is the largest frog in the world. It grows up to 12.5 inches (32 centimeters) long and can weigh up to 7.2 pounds (3.3 kilograms). The goliath frog is as big as some house cats! It doesn't start out so big, though. The goliath frog tadpole is the same size as the tadpole of an average frog, but just keeps growing. The adult looks a lot like other frogs as well, just a whole lot bigger. Although these giant frogs have been around longer than humans, we still have a lot to learn about them. For example, how many years do they live? Is there more than one species of goliath frog? Scientists are studying these creatures in the wild and learning new things about them. They hope that what they learn will help us find answers, so this amazing frog will be safe from extinction.

HABITAT AND DIET Goliath frogs live in small ranges in the rain forests at the equator of western Africa, near swift-moving rivers and waterfalls. These giant amphibians need to be near water much like the average frog. Goliath frogs come out at night and sit on river rocks to look for food. An adult goliath frog eats the same types of food that other frogs do: insects, crustaceans, fish, and other amphibians. But one researcher found a bat in the stomach of a goliath frog! FAMILY LIFE Not-so-parental instincts: When goliath frogs reach maturity and have babies, they do things a little differently from most frogs. The male builds a nest of rocks and gravel near a riverbank, and wrestles with other males to breed with females. The wrestling and rock moving may be why males are larger than females: this is unusual for frogs. Then the female lays thousands of eggs in the nest. That is where the parenting stops: they don’t even wait around to ensure the eggs hatch. Tadpoles must fend for themselves and find their own food.

Goliath frog tadpoles are picky eaters and only eat a certain plant found near waterfalls and the banks of swift rivers. This could explain why this frog species is only found in one tiny location on Earth! AT THE ZOO The 13 Scariest Freshwater Animals in the World -- National Geographic Piranha Photograph by Martin Shields, Alamy Notorious for their sharp teeth and voracious appetites, piranhas inhabit several of the major river basins in South America. These omnivorous fish are known for their taste for meat, although attacks on human beings are quite rare, despite breathless accounts from early explorers. In a historic visit to Brazil, Theodore Roosevelt famously saw a group of piranhas shredding pieces of a cow carcass in seconds. His dramatic account would color popular imagination for years, even though it was based on a manipulated spectacle in which fishermen blocked off a group of the fish and starved them beforehand. Still, piranhas are important scavengers and predators in their native rivers, and they often resort to cannibalism if food gets scarce. It's true that local fishermen occasionally have scars from close encounters with them.

It's unknown how many species of piranhas exist, with estimates ranging from 30 to 60. —Brian Clark Howard Electric Eel Photograph from Bettman Archive/Corbis Electra the electric eel (Electrophorus electricus) demonstrates her shocking power at Ford Motor Company's "Cycle of Production" exhibit at the 1939 New York World's Fair. Despite their name, electric eels are actually a type of knifefish and are more closely related to catfish than they are to true eels. These unusual fish inhabit waterways in the Amazon and Orinoco basins of South America, where they hunt prey and defend themselves by producing powerful bursts of electricity. Electric eels gulp air from the surface in order to breathe. Thanks to specialized internal organs, they can produce pulses of electricity greater than 500 volts, with a current greater than one amp. That's enough to kill an adult human being. Electric eels mostly hunt invertebrates, though adults also consume fish and small mammals. They only attack human beings if they are disturbed. They tend to live in murky, stagnate waters. Scientists have long been fascinated by the species and have probed its impressive electrical abilities.

Goliath Bird-Eater Spider Photograph by John Mitchell, Getty Images The second largest spider in the world, the goliath bird-eater (Theraphosa blondi), is related to the tarantula. It received its fearsome name after Victorian explorers witnessed one feasting on a hummingbird. The big spiders inhabit marshy land in the rain forests of nothern South America, where they can grow to a leg span of up to 12 inches (30 cm) and can weigh more than 6 ounces (170 grams). As with many other spiders, females may eat the males after mating. Partially as a result, males have a lifespan of 3 to 6 years, while females have a lifespan of 15 to 25 years. Despite the spider's name, birds are not the main prey of the goliath bird-eater. They prefer to eat insects and other invertebrates, although they will occasionally eat small vertebrates. The big spiders are not generally considered dangerous to human beings, although they can bite if disturbed, leaving a wound about as painful as a wasp sting. They can also release hairs that irritate the skin.

Tiger Fish Photograph by Chris Johns, National Geographic Widely distributed across much of Africa, tiger fish are fierce predators with large, razor-sharp teeth. They often hunt in packs and occasionally eat large animals. Attacks on human beings are rare but not unheard of. The two largest species are the goliath tiger fish (Hydrocynus goliath) and the Hydrocynus vittatus, which is commonly called the tiger fish. Both are prized as game fish. The goliath tiger fish, which can reach sizes up to 110 pounds (50 kg), is found in the Congo River and Lake Tanganyika. The tiger fish can weigh up to 33 pounds (15 kg) and is found in the Zambezi River system. Photograph by Jonathan Blair , National Geographic A year-old Nile crocodile attempts to snap up a frog in the St. Lucia Estuary in South Africa (from the National Geographic book Visions of Earth ). Also known as the common crocodile, these large reptiles are distributed across much of Africa, and they have earned their reputation as among the most ferocious, deadly animals on the planet.

Male crocs typically measure from 11.5 to 16 feet long (3.5 to 5 meters), but they have been known to exceed 18 feet (5.5 meters) in length. Individual crocodiles attack anything the same size or smaller than them. They are occasionally known to hunt in packs, in which they can take down animals as large as hippos and rhinos. Nile crocodiles occasionaly prey on human beings, with estimates ranging from several hundred to several thousand deaths a year. The ancient Egyptians feared and revered Nile crocodiles and worked them into their mystic religions. In modern times, the big animals were heavily hunted for their leather, although recent protections have helped stabilize the population at an estimated 250,000 to 500,000. Photograph by Jason Edwards , National Geographic Snakeheads are often feared in the West, where populations of the aggressive fish have occasionally taken root as invasive species. After a fisherman found a Northern snakehead (Channa argus) in a pond in Maryland, it caused a media sensation. Biologists warned that the large freshwater fish could readily become established in North America, where it could wreak havoc on native ecosystems.

The voracious top-level predators can reach a length of three feet (one meter). They prey on invertebrates, frogs, and smaller fish, though they are known to attack anything moving when they are breeding. Snakeheads can breathe air and can survive out of water for up to four days. They can survive much longer periods of drought by burrowing into the mud. Several species of the fish are native to much of Asia, where they are commonly caught and are prized for the dinner table. They are also frequently kept as aquarium fish and are noted for their aggressive behavior. Mata Mata Photograph by Alessandro Mancini, Alamy A mata mata (Chelus fimbriatus) is a freshwater turtle that inhabits the Amazon and Orinoco basins in South America. The bizarre turtles are entirely aquatic, although they prefer shallow, stagnant water, where they can easily reach their head out of water to breathe. The mata mata can grow quite large, up to 33 pounds (15 kilograms). They feed on invertebrates and fish and aren't dangerous to people, despite their appearance. Mata mata are fairly sensitive to water quality, both in captivity and in the wild, so they can be harmed by pollutants.

Giant Catfish Photograph by John Robertson, Alamy Divers work with a model European catfish in the Great Lake at Ostersund in Sweden. Large catfish live in many rivers throughout the world, where they are important scavengers. The largest on record is the Mekong giant catfish, which has reached recorded sizes up to 10.5 feet (3.2 meters) and 660 pounds (300 kilograms). Once distributed across several countries in Southeast Asia, the Mekong giant catfish is now critically endangered, thanks to habitat disruption. Not much is known about the world's biggest freshwater fish, although conservation efforts are underway. Big catfish are rarely considered dangerous to people. The Mekong species can live to be more than 60 years old. Diving Bell Spider Photograph by Gerhard Schulz, Getty Images The diving bell spider (Argyroneta aquatica) is the only known spider in the world that lives entirely underwater. Like other arachnids, it must breathe air, but it provides its own supply by forming a bubble, which it holds by hairs on its legs and abdomen.

The spiders must occasionally return to the surface to replenish their air supply, although some gas exchange happens across the surface of their bubbles, so they don't have to come up very often. The diving bell spider is found in northern and central Europe and parts of northern Asia. Unusual for spiders, the males are bigger than the females, perhaps because the males are more active hunters. The spiders can inflict a painful bite that is often accompanied by feverish symptoms. Those who are afraid of spiders may be disturbed to know they may not be safe from them, even in the water. Anaconda Photograph by Elwin R. Sanborn, National Geographic Animal handlers hold a 19-foot anaconda at the Zoological Gardens. Among the world's largest snakes, anacondas live in rivers and wetlands of South America. The word anaconda is thought to come from the Tamil word anaikolra, which means elephant killer, alluding to the reptile's fearsome reputation. Anacondas feed on fish, birds, reptiles, and small mammals, though they have been known to take the occasional domestic animal. The big snakes can be dangerous to people, though reports of deliberate predation are very rare.

Like other boas, anacondas are nonvenomous, and they often kill their prey by constricting it. Like other snakes, they swallow their prey whole. Giant Freshwater Stingray Photograph by Fenolio Dante, Getty Images As National Geographic previously reported , freshwater stingrays are known to inhabit rivers in Southeast Asia and northern Australia, where they can reach enormous proportions, measuring up to 16.5 feet (5 meters) long and up to 1,320 pounds (600 kilograms). However, very little is known about these creatures, including how many are left, and if they ever enter saltwater. Freshwater stingrays are hard to see, because they often bury themselves in river sediments. They hunt for clams and crabs by detecting their electric impulses. There are reports of the big animals overturning boats, though they rarely attack people. Even so, stingrays can pack a powerful punch; they have a barb at the base of their tail that contains deadly poison and a stinger as long as 15 inches (38 centimeters). Many scientists fear that freshwater stingrays are threatened by habitat loss and pollution.

Vampire Fish Photograph by Peter McBride, National Geographic Fanged vampire fish, or payara (Hydrolycus scomberoides), are offered at a market in Pevas, Peru, on the Amazon River. This fearsome, little-known fish is prized for its meat in the Amazon and Orinoco basins. Vampire fish prey primarily on smaller fish, especially piranhas, which they impale with their long, sharp fangs. The intimidating teeth can grow up to six inches long. Candiru Photograph by Max Gibbs, Getty Images Perhaps the most feared freshwater species of all, candiru are parasitic catfish in the family Trichomycteridae. These small, narrow fish normally feed on the gills of larger fish in the Amazon. However, over the past few centuries there have been reports of these creatures lodging in the urethras of men and women. Some native peoples along the Amazon have described means of preventing such a disturbing infection, which is said to be hard to remedy, even with surgery. Protection measures are said to include tough clothing, tying off extremities with ligatures, and avoiding urination around rivers.

It was long believed that urine attracted the candiru, although a recent study showed that the animals displayed no interest in it. There are very few documented cases of candiru attacks on human beings, and a much discussed incident from 1997 has been met with considerable skepticism. Further, with an average width of a quarter of an inch and average length of three inches, the fish are a little large to enter a urethra. Still, the prospect remains frightening enough to keep many people out of tropical waters, even far away from the candiru's range. 10 of the World's Largest Spiders - Conservation Institute 10 of the World’s Largest Spiders Jul 15 • Nature • 268631 Views • Comments Off on 10 of the World’s Largest Spiders We share this world with a lot of types of spiders and some of them are unbelievably (like horror movie) big. Take a look at our list of the world’s largest spiders, starting from the smallest of the largest, all the way to the winning monster-sized, biggest spider in the world. 10.

Cerbalus Aravensis Cerbalus Aravensis (Wikipedia Commons) The smallest, but still large, spider on our list is the black and white Cerbalus Aravensis spider, which was discovered in Israel in 2009. It has a leg span of 5.5-inches and lives underground where it peaks out ready to jump on unsuspecting prey. Stay out of the Israeli sand dunes at night because this is when the Cerbalus Aravensis likes to hunt. 9. Brazilian Wandering Spider Brazilian Wandering Spider (OurBreathingPlanet/Flickr) The Brazilian Wandering spider isn’t the world’s biggest spider with it’s 5.9-inch leg span, but it does have one of the deadliest venoms. This spider’s venom rarely kills humans, but its bite will make you writhe in pain. You don’t have to go to Brazil to find this venomous spider either; one was found in the Whole Food’s produce apartment in Oklahoma. It had snuck into the country and health food store by riding on a banana. Watch out, this spider likes to hide in shoes. 8. Camel Spider Camel Spider (Wikipedia Commons) Myth surrounds the Camel spider.

People claim these spiders eat camels and humans, but really they do neither. They do probably scare both though. The Camel spider is also called the Scorpion spider because it’s related to both spiders and scorpions, and it looks a little like both. If that isn’t scary enough, they’re also 6-inches long. 7. Hercules Baboon Spider Hercules Baboon Spider (stompromper/Flickr) The Hercules Baboon spider is the rarest spider in the world. This huge spider has an 8-inch leg span, but don’t let that scare you, because none of these spiders have been seen since the year 1900. So don’t be fooled by those pet stores that try to pass off other spiders as the rare Hercules Baboon. Despite its name, the Hercules doesn’t eat baboons. It prefers to feast on insects. 6. Colombian Giant Black Tarantula Colombian Giant Black Tarantula (xenesthis/Flickr) The Colombian Giant Black tarantula — with the less pronounceable scientific name of Xenesthis monstrosa — can have a leg span of up to 9.1-inches.

Its mostly black in color, but has brownish hairs and some reddish markings. This species is an extremely aggressive eater, but is harmless to humans, besides the scare factor. Like all tarantulas, these guys experience balding in the thorax area in their senior years. 5. Brazilian Giant Tawny Red Tarantula Brazilian Giant Tawny Red Tarantula (José Luis Bartheld/Flickr) Native to Brazil, Uruguay, Paraguay and Argentina, the Brazilian Giant Tawny Red is a spider that is among one of the biggest in the world. It can have a leg span of up to 10.2-inches. Don’t think your safe from this beast if you live elsewhere, because it is also found as a pet worldwide. What makes these spiders interesting is that, unlike most spiders who suffer from parental abandonment, its mother actually sticks around to help it break free from the egg sack. 4. Poecilotheria Rajaei Poecilotheria Rajaei (Wikipedia Commons) The Poecilotheria Rajaei spider has been recently discovered in Sri Lanka 2009.

This spider has an 8-inch leg span and has a pinkish-gray band on its abdomen. These spiders like to live in fallen trees, rocks and inside people’s homes. Think about that before visiting Sri Lanka. 3. Brazilian Salmon Pink Birdeater Brazilian Salmon Pink Birdeater (Wikipedia Commons) Despite the name, the Brazilian Salmon Pink Birdeater spider doesn’t eat birds. It instead feasts on insects, lizards, frogs and mice. This spider lives in the rainforest and has a 10-inch leg span. It has a brown body with salmon-pink hairs that it shoots at its prey to disable them. Then it pounces on its prey and spits digestive juices on it, pre-digesting the victim before sucking it up. 2. The Huntsman Spider The Huntsman Spider (coolerclimes/Flickr) The Huntsman spider is really big. Its body can reach 1-foot long and its leg span can get up to 6-inches long. This spider is native to Asia, but can also be found in subtropical areas of Florida, Texas and California. The spiders traveled into the U.S. by hitching a ride on bananas, which is why their also called Banana spiders.

Yuck, watch out next time you eat an imported banana. The creepiest factor about the Huntsman is that they are really fast, can walk sideways and can scurry up perfectly smooth surfaces, such as window glass, without a problem. 1. The Goliath Bird-Eating Tarantula The Goliath Bird-Eating Tarantula (alishadevochka/Flickr) The largest spider in the world is the Goliath Bird-Eating tarantula. Yes, as the name suggests, this spider is large enough to eat birds, and it does. Yikes! The Goliath can reach up to 1-foot in body length and has 1-inch long fangs. It’s considered bigger than the Huntsman Spider because it has a heavier body mass. The Goliath has tiny hairs on its body that it shoots at whoever or whatever is threatening it. Its bite isn’t deadly to humans (unless you’re allergic), but if you get bit by one, expect to experience severe pain, nausea and profuse sweating. The Goliath Bird-Eating tarantula’s natural habitat is in the rainforests of South America, but they can be found as pets around the world.

If you hear a hissing noise, watch out. The Goliath rubs its legs together to make this frightening noise and it can be heard up to 15-feet away. Reading this list of the world’s biggest spiders may have left you feeling creeped out, but you have to admit these humongous creatures are interesting. Besides, they may be big, but you’re even bigger. Goliath Birdeater Tarantula - The Largest Spider in the World The Goliath: A Tarantula of Giant Proportions written by: Diana Cooper•edited by: Sarah Malburg•updated: 5/16/2011 The goliath birdeater tarantula is a fascinating creature, and one of mammoth size for its kind. But are they harmless? Their sounds and intimidating characteristics may be misleading. Find out why. slide 1 of 9 The goliath birdeater (Theraphosa blondi) is one of almost 900 species of tarantulas. This giant huntsman spider is considered the largest by leg span (12 inches).

It was named goliath because of its massive size and birdeater because it was seen eating a hummingbird when discovered by explorers in the 1800s. They can be found living in swampy areas in South America's rainforests. Their homes are deep in the ground in burrows that have been abandoned by small animals. Although scary looking, these amazing spiders are quite harmless. (Click on image to enlarge.) slide 2 of 9 Description Goliath birdeaters weigh about 6 ounces. Their leg span is fairly close in size to that of the giant huntsman spider, about 10 inches. The largest on record is just over 11 inches. The body is dark brown and covered with reddish hairs. They have eight legs and two appendages (pedipalps) in the front that act as arms to help push food into their mouth. slide 3 of 9 Molting All tarantulas molt (shed their exoskeleton) to grow. When going through this process, they will lie on their back, will appear to be dead and are completely vulnerable. The process can take anywhere from 15 minutes to several hours.

If missing a leg, it will regenerate a new one, but it will normally be smaller and not as functional as the original. slide 4 of 9 Sight and Sound Goliath birdeaters are practically blind, despite their eight tiny eyes. Distinguishing light from dark is about the best they can see. To get around, they rely on ground vibrations. They can make a loud hissing sound by rubbing the bristles on their two front legs and appendages together. This is called stridulation, and can be heard up to 15 feet away. slide 5 of 9 Behavior and Defense Mechanisms These spiders are nocturnal, meaning they are active at night. They are solitary creatures and will only spend time with another spider of its kind when mating. They are basically harmless to humans, and will not attack a person unless they feel threatened. They are venomous. If the spider does bite a human, the effects are similar to a wasp's sting. A bite will not always contain venom - this is known as a "dry bite". Another defense mechanism they possess is the ability to flick urticating hairs from their abdomen using their hind legs at anyone they perceive as a threat.

These hairs can be very irritating, especially if they come in contact with the eyes, nose and mouth, and are known to kill small mammals like mice. slide 6 of 9 Diet Goliath birdeaters will eat young birds from their nests, but their diet normally consists of insects. They are also known to eat bats, small snakes, lizards and frogs. To capture their victim, they will sneak up on it, pounce on it and inject their venom. These tarantulas do not have teeth, so they regurgitate digestive juices onto their prey, which breaks down the soft tissues for them to slurp up. slide 7 of 9 Reproduction Mating takes place in spring and early summer. The female lays about 100 to 150 eggs in a sac protected with a layer of silk that she will carry with her when she leaves the burrow. The incubation period lasts about two to three months. The baby spiders will stay with their mother for a few weeks before finding their own burrow. It takes about three years for the young spiders to mature.

slide 8 of 9 Largest and smallest frogs Home » animals » Largest and smallest frogs Largest and smallest frogs There are close to 4,000 known species of frogs, including toads. They range in size from less than half an inch to nearly a foot long and come in a rainbow of colors and patterns. Adult frogs are carnivorous and will eat just about anything smaller than themselves, including insects, worms and even other frogs. A frog’s long, sticky tongue is attached in the front of its mouth, and, as a signature move, a frog can flick its tongue out to capture its prey with remarkable speed. The earliest known frog (Vieraella herbsti) appeared during the late Jurassic period, about 190 million years ago. The specimens that have been found in Arizona shows that the skeletal shape and body plan of the frog has remained almost unchanged. The biggest frog is the appropriately named Goliath frog (Conraua goliath) of Cameroon. They reach nearly 30cm (a foot) and weigh as much as 3,3 kilograms (7 lb). The smallest frog is the Gold frog (Psyllophryne Didactyla) of Brazil.

They grow to only 9,8 mm (3/8 inch). Equally small is the Eleutherodactylus iberia discovered only in 1996 in Monte Iberia, Cuba. (It doesn’t even have a common name yet.) Other small frogs are poison frogs. They measure less than 1cm (1/2 inch). Recently scientists have noticed a marked decline in the numbers of frogs and other amphibians around the world. Some species are believed to have become extinct within the past fifty years. Causes for the decline include ozone depletion, pollution, habitat loss, introduction of new predators, disease and even a fungus. Your eyes are not deceiving you – that’s a Goliath frog next to a baby deer! Frogs come in many shapes and colors all over the world – except Antarctica! The large Cane toad, also called “Marine toad” or “Giant toad,” range in size from 15-23 cm (6-9 inches), but may get bigger. This tiny poison frog measures less than 1 cm (1/2 inch). The Gold frog from Brasilia, the smallest frog at 3/8 inch.

Discovered only 1996 in Cuba, the Eleutherodactylus iberia also grows to only 3/8 inch. Puppy-Sized Spider Surprises Scientist in Rainforest Goliath Encounter: Puppy-Sized Spider Surprises Scientist in Rainforest By Tanya Lewis, Staff Writer | October 17, 2014 07:42pm ET MORE The South American Goliath birdeater (Theraphosa blondi) is the world's largest spider, according to Guinness World Records. Its legs can reach up to one foot (30 centimeters) and it can weight up to 6 oz. (170 grams). Credit: Piotr Naskrecki Piotr Naskrecki was taking a nighttime walk in a rainforest in Guyana, when he heard rustling as if something were creeping underfoot. When he turned on his flashlight, he expected to see a small mammal, such as a possum or a rat. "When I turned on the light, I couldn't quite understand what I was seeing," said Naskrecki, an entomologist and photographer at Harvard University's Museum of Comparative Zoology.

A moment later, he realized he was looking not at a brown, furry mammal, but an enormous, puppy-size spider. Known as the South American Goliath birdeater (Theraphosa blondi), the colossal arachnid is the world's largest spider, according to Guinness World Records. Its leg span can reach up to a foot (30 centimeters), or about the size of "a child's forearm," with a body the size of "a large fist," Naskrecki told Live Science. And the spider can weigh more than 6 oz. (170 grams) — about as much as a young puppy, the scientist wrote on his blog . [ See Photos of the Goliath Birdeater Spider ] Some sources say the giant huntsman spider , which has a larger leg span, is bigger than the birdeater. But the huntsman is much more delicate than the hefty birdeater — comparing the two would be "like comparing a giraffe to an elephant," Naskrecki said. The birdeater's enormous size is evident from the sounds it makes.

"Its feet have hardened tips and claws that produce a very distinct, clicking sound, not unlike that of a horse's hooves hitting the ground," he wrote, but "not as loud." Prickly hairs and 3/4-inch fangs When Naskrecki approached the imposing creature in the rainforest, it would rub its hind legs against its abdomen. At first, the scientist thought the behavior was "cute," he said, but then he realized the spider was sending out a cloud of hairs with microscopic barbs on them. When these hairs get in the eyes or other mucous membranes, they are "extremely painful and itchy," and can stay there for days, he said. [ Creepy-Crawly Gallery: See Spooky Photos of Spiders ] But its prickly hairs aren't the birdeater's only line of defense; it also sports a pair of 0.79-inch-long (2 centimeters) fangs, which can sometimes reach up to 1.5 inches (3.8 cm). Although the spider's bite is venomous, it's not deadly to humans . But it would still be extremely painful, "like driving a nail through your hand," Naskrecki said.

And the eight-legged beast has a third defense mechanism up its hairy sleeve. The hairs on the front of the spider's body have tiny hooks and barbs that make a hissing sound when they rub against each other, "sort of like pulling Velcro apart," Naskrecki said. Yet despite all that, the spider doesn't pose a threat to humans. Even if it bites you, "a chicken can probably do more damage," Naskrecki said. Bird eater or mostly harmless? Despite its name, the birdeater doesn't usually eat birds, although it is certainly capable of killing small mammals . "They will essentially attack anything that they encounter," Naskrecki said. The spider hunts in leaf litter on the ground at night, so the chances of it encountering a bird are very small, he said. However, if it found a nest, it could easily kill the parents and the chicks, he said, adding that the spider species has also been known to puncture and drink bird eggs. The spider will eat frogs and insects, but its main prey is actually earthworms, which come out at night when it's humid. "Earthworms are very nutritious," Naskrecki said.

Birdeaters are not endangered, but they are shy. "I've been working in the tropics in South America for many, many years, and in the last 10 to 15 years, I only ran across the spider three times," Naskrecki. After catching the specimen he found in Guyana, which was female, Naskrecki took her back to his lab to study. She's now deposited in a museum. Update: Oct. 21 In response to a flood of questions about what happened to the spider and why it was killed, Naskrecki wrote another post on his blog . In it, he explains that the animal was euthanized, preserved, carefully labeled, and deposited in a collection at the University of Guyana, "where to this day it serves as an important teaching tool." Collection and preservation of physical specimens "is an integral, irreplaceable element of biological sciences," Naskrecki wrote. He added that the Goliath birdeater is "a very common species, not protected or endangered, and collecting of a single individual poses absolutely no threat to its survival." In fact, you can buy the spiders in pet stores and online.

"There is absolutely no evidence that any scientist has ever driven a species to extinction," Naskrecki said. Rather, species go extinct due to the destruction of their habitat or competition from alien species introduced by humans, he said. "And this loss of species is happening on an unimaginable scale — by some estimates 16,000 species quietly go extinct every year, some even before scientists have a chance to describe and name them," he said. Editor's Note: This article was last updated at 3:26 p.m. ET on Oct. 21 to include more information about what happened to the spider. Also, the article originally incorrectly stated the length of the fangs as 2 inches; in fact, their maximum length is 1.5 inches. If you have an amazing spider photo you'd like to share for a possible story or image gallery, please contact managing editor Jeanna Bryner at LSphotos@livescience.com . Tarantula | San Diego Zoo Animals & Plants San Diego Zoo Animals & Plants GENERA: At least 123 described SPECIES: About 900 ABOUT They're big, they're hairy, but are they scary? Not when you get to know them!

Tarantulas are the biggest spiders in the world. They are also known as baboon spiders in Africa and hairy spiders in South America. But don't be alarmed! Most tarantulas are busy minding their own business. If you don't bother them, they won't bother you. Like all spiders, tarantulas have two body segments—a cephalothorax (seff-a-la-THOR-ax) and abdomen—and very strong jaws with venomous fangs. Their legs (all eight of them!) are covered with tiny hairs. Many tarantula species use their legs to flick special hairs, called urticating hairs, off their abdomens when disturbed. These hairs are barbed and lodge in the eyes and mucous membranes of would-be attackers, causing great discomfort and irritation. Tarantulas from Asia and Africa do not have urticating hairs, so they have to use more aggressive posturing when threatened. HABITAT AND DIET Tarantulas live in warm areas around the world—on all continents except Antarctica—but most are found in South America. Their preferred habitats are rain forests, deserts, and scrubland. Like other spiders, tarantulas make a silken web, but not for snaring prey.

The web is used to make a home, a molting “mat,” or to aid in handling food items. Some tarantulas live in underground burrows in well-drained soil. If the soil is suitable, the spider digs a deep burrow and lines it with silk webbing; this helps keep sand and dirt from trickling in. Some tarantulas live on the ground under rocks, logs, or the shed bark of trees, and others live in webbed burrows in trees. These large spiders are solitary creatures, so there is only one spider per "house." Tarantulas are nocturnal hunters, preying on a variety of insects, other spiders, and small lizards, snakes, and frogs. They rely on ambush and pursuit to catch their prey with a bite from their fangs. The fangs release venom that kills their victim; a chemical in the venom helps dissolve the victim's flesh. Tarantulas can also crush their prey using their powerful mouthparts. Though people are often afraid of tarantula bites, the reality is that most have venom with potency comparable to that of a bee. And remember, a tarantula would rather hide from you than bite you.

At the San Diego Zoo, our tarantulas are fed crickets, roaches, pinky mice, and small lizards. FAMILY LIFE Willing to die for love: Once mature, a male tarantula abandons his burrow to seek a female by following the scent she leaves. The pair performs a courtship dance and then, if the male is deemed suitable, they mate. Males of many tarantula species have spurs on their first pair of legs to hold back the fangs of their chosen partner while they mate—just in case! Lucky males usually die a few months after mating, but females may live and produce eggs for 25 years or more. The female makes a silk cocoon in her home for her eggs. Once the eggs are laid (from 75 to 1,000!), she seals up the cocoon with silk and then stands guard for 6 to 9 weeks until the young hatch. They go off on their own when they are two to three weeks old. All tarantulas have a hard exoskeleton that they must shed during each growth spurt.

When the time comes, the tarantula lays down a silken mat with its spinnerets and flips over onto its back. The old exoskeleton opens on the back, and the tarantula must push it off by expanding and contracting its body. When the process is complete, and the spider has allowed some time for the new exoskeleton to harden, it flips back over. At first glance, the shed often looks like another spider! Young tarantulas molt several times over the first few years as they get bigger. AT THE ZOO The insect house in the San Diego Zoo’s Discovery Outpost is home to 14 tarantula species, including the goliath bird-eating spider. We rotate the display of these impressive animals seasonally. Hidden Jungle at the San Diego Zoo Safari Park is home to three tarantula species. The horned baboon tarantula has a very distinct “horn” that faces backward across the spider’s carapace; the Mombasa golden starburst tarantula has a starburst pattern of golden hairs on its carapace; and the Fort Hall baboon tarantula is light gray or brown with darker spots and stripes on its abdomen.

CONSERVATION Many tarantula species have been over-collected in the wild for the pet trade and are protected by the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES). The Zoo is a refuge for a large group of tarantulas confiscated by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service from an illegal smuggling sting. Although spiders are fearsome predators, others often eat them. Tarantulas have many natural enemies in the wild, including lizards, snakes, spider-eating birds, and even wasps. A female tarantula hawk (a large, solitary wasp) can find a tarantula, sting it, and then drag its stunned body to a special burrow that she has prepared. Once inside the burrow, she lays a single egg on the body of the living spider. When the larva hatches, it eats the tarantula! LIFE SPAN

Question: What kind of creature's largest species is called a 'Goliath'?
Answer: FROG